Partners in Learning - Professional development : earn badges for teacher and school leader professional development

Earn badges for teacher and school leader professional development

We believe in anytime, anywhere learning. We also believe your achievements should be recognized so that you can share your accomplishments and knowledge with your colleagues and communities. That’s why the Partners in Learning Network awards badges for the skills and knowledge that are learned and shared through our online professional learning community, in our in-person events, and in school communities around the world.

If you have met the criteria to earn one of these badges and it is not turned on in your profile, please let us know. We’ll be happy to confirm that you have met the criteria and turn your badge on.

Member Designations	How do I earn these?

Partners in Learning Educator Educator and member of the Partners in Learning Network.	Simply by becoming a member of the Partners in Learning Network

Microsoft Innovative Educator Educator who demonstrates innovative use of ICT in their teaching and learning practices.	You applied and were invited to attend the inaugural Partners in Learning Institute in 2010. You were invited to attend the 2010, 2011 or 2012 Global Forum with your learning activity. You have attended the two day Partners in Learning Institute/Microsoft Innovative Educator Training in 2012.

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Educator who is committed to leading the conversation about the use of technology in education.	You applied and were accepted as Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert in the Partners in Learning for Educators program in 2013.
School Designations & Badges	How do I earn these?

Microsoft Partners in Learning School School that has educators participating in the professional learning community, Partners in Learning Network.	Simply by becoming a member of the Partners in Learning Network and establishing your school profile

Microsoft Innovative School A school committed to exploring, planning and developing a culture of innovation by participating in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Program online	Your school has completed the four requirements listed under the "What is Required" tab on the Innovative Schools page.

Microsoft Pathfinder School RETIRED A school committed to developing a culture of innovation through participation in Microsoft Innovative Schools Program.	Your school applied and was accepted as a Pathfinder school in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Program in 2010, 2011, 2012. This designation was retired in 2013. All schools may now apply to become a Mentor School.

Microsoft Mentor School Demonstrated leadership in developing and implementing innovative practices and community leadership in Microsoft Innovative Schools Program.	Your school was a Pathfinder School and based on your contribution in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Program in 2010 and 2011 you were invited to become a Mentor School.

Microsoft World Tour School Excels at mentoring other schools, deep experience in implementing innovative practices, and community leadership in Partners in Learning for Schools.	Based on your contribution, leadership and demonstrated success in the Partners in Learning for Schools program in 2010, 2011 and 2012 you were invited to become a Microsoft World Tour School.

Partners in Learning School Research School understands what education transformation means in practice for them and is measuring innovative teaching practices.	Your school measured its innovative teaching and learning practices using Partners in Learning School Research.
Professional Learning Badges	How do I earn these?

Partners in Learning Local Forum Participant Educators share and get their learning activity evaluated online or at in-person events.	You created a learning activity that used ICT tools and included a rubric, examples of student work, and 21st century teaching and learning practices and entered it into a local Partners in Learning Forum/Innovative Teacher Forum.

Partners in Learning Regional Forum Participant By invitation, gives educators in a region the opportunity to network and share best practices.	Following the judging process at your local Forum, you were invited to participate in the Regional Partners in Learning Forum with teachers from other countries (or states in the US) in your region.

Partners in Learning Global Forum Participant By invitation, gives educators from regional events the opportunity to network and share best practices.	Following the judging process at the Regional Forum, you were invited to participate in the Global Partners in Learning Forum with teachers from around the world.

Teaching with Technology Represents completion of all six Teaching with Technology courses.	Pass all six course assessments.

Windows in the Classroom Seminar Represents completion of the Windows in the Classroom seminar.	You have attended a Windows in the Classroom in-person event and completed the online survey; or You have watched the Windows in the Classroom online seminar and completed the online survey.

Shout Teachers and students develop learning activities that incorporate citizen science and social responsibility for global problem solving.	You participated in a Shout webinar or community and created a learning activity based on one of the Smithsonian Institute citizen science themes (Tree Banding or Water Matters), or on DeforestACTION.
Training Partner Badges	How do I earn these?

Microsoft Teacher Trainer Awarded to graduates of a Partners in Learning Institute or Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) train the trainer event.	You have attended an in person, multi day Partners in Learning train the trainer event.
Community Contributor Badges	How do I earn these?

Hot Topics Contributor Community member, facilitator and thought leader who writes insightful blog posts that stir thinking and conversation on topics in education.	You share your experience in one of the Partners in Learning Network's Hot Topics subjects by writing blog posts. You facilitate and participate in the discussions for your topic blog posts.